Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “fairness” come from?

Fairness derives from Old English fæġernes, a formation in Old English from the adjective meaning "beautiful" or "pleasing."

fairness (English): The property of being fair or equitable; The...

Definitions

  1. The property of being fair or equitable; The...

Ancestry of “fairness”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishfairness—
2Old Englishfæġernesfairness; beauty; pleasantness
Every word from Old English fæġernes →